Swakopmund, Namibia, was founded, by Captain Curt von Francois as the main harbour of German South West Africa in 1892, two years later than Windhoek. Increased traffic between Germany and its colony necessitated the establishment of a port as Walvis Bay, located 33 kilometres south, was in British possession. The choice fell on Swakopmund where water could be found and because other sites checked (including Cape Cross) were unsuitable.

 

The majority of towns and villages in Namibia have grown out of indigenous settlements and very often were located close to sources of water. Names of places given by original inhabitants were very descriptive and in many cases those names were retained by European settlers who sometimes simplified pronunciations of the names. The Nama word ''Tsoakhaub'' can be translated as ''excrement opening'' which was an offensive but accurate description of the waters of the Swakop River in flood, carrying masses of mud, sand, pieces of vegetation and animal corpses. The masses of dirty and muddy water were emptied into the ocean and the indigenous name described it very well.

 

The Nama name was changed to ''Swachaub'' and with the proclamation of Swakopmund as an independent district in 1896 the present name came into use.

 

History

 

On the 4 of August 1892 the crew of gunboat ''Hyena'' erected two beacons (one at the present location of the Mole and another at the location of the lighthouse) to mark the landing site. This symbolized the laying of the foundation stone of the town. The first settlers were offloaded from the ''Marie Woermann'' (120 Schutztruppe with equipment and 40 settlers) using 4 landing boats. The settlers had to build  ''caves'' on the beach to protect themselves against hostile weather. Before the Mole was built all off-loads were carried by special boats which were handled by Kru men (from Liberia). Up to 600 Kru tribesmen were employed by the Woermann Line.

 

The first town building plan was drawn by Dr Rhode. Because of the lack of building materials mainly prefabricated wooden houses were erected.

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Sights and Buildings

 

Marine memorial

Designed by Berlin sculptor Wolff, and donated to Swakopmund by marines from Kiel in 1908.

 

War Memorial

This was unveiled on 10 November 1963 in memory of those killed in World War 2. It is located near the museum.

 

The Mole

This has resulted from an unsuccessful attempt to construct the artificial harbour. A 375 metre pier was completed in 1900 but by winter 1906, a sandbank had completely blocked it.

 

The Jetty

The first wooden jetty, completed in 1905, was damaged by borer worm (Teredo navalis) and construction of an iron jetty began in 1911. The proposed length of 640 metres was enough to offload vessels without the usage of smaller boats but by the beginning of World War 1 only 262 meters were completed. The first repairs were done in 1986 when the first section of iron poles was encased in concrete. The second replacement of badly corroded iron structures and repairs (part of the jetty was closed for pedestrians in 1998 for 7 years) was finalised in 2010, including the wooden promenade.

 

Woermann House

Recognized as one of the most beautiful buildings in the town, this was completed in 1905.

 

Princess Rupprecht House

Now a private pension/B&B and retirement centre, the original building was completed in 1901 as a military hospital.

 

Kaserne

The original building served as a barracks. The design is similar to the Alte Feste in Windhoek and Fort Namutoni in Etosha Park. The building was completed in 1906.

 

Railway station

(Swakopmund hotel from 1994). This was declared a National monument in 1972. The building, designed by C. Schmidt (tower design by Willy Sander - architect of Windhoek's ''Three Castles''), was completed in 1901.

 

Namib High/ex German School

Completed in October 1913, the building hosted both the government and municipal secondary schools. Design by E. Krause.

 

Hohenzollern Building

Built in 1906, this initially served as a hotel. At present it is sectional title apartments.

 

Deutsche Evangelical church

The building, designed by Otto Ertl, was consecrated on 7 January 1912. The bells were imported from Germany where they were made by Franz Schilling. This is the second oldest building in Swakopmund. It was proclaimed a National Monument on 21 September 1978.

 

Antonius Gebaude

Designed by Otto Ertl the building (a hospital) was opened in March 1908.

Today it is a retirement centre.

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Swakopmund Lighthouse

The first 11 metres were erected in July 1902 and a further 10 meters were added in 1910.

 

State House (Kaiserliches Bezirksgericht)

Built as a magistrate's court in 1902 the building served as a summer residence for top government officials for several decades. Architect : C. Schmidt.